Educational device



July 20, 1943. J.V. HORR E DLiCATIONAL DEVICE Filed Jan. 1, 1943 2Sheets-Sheet 1 ADJUST THE ELEVATING KNOB INVENTOR John V. [Io/'1' ATTORNY5 July 20. 1943. J. v. HORR 2,324,841

EDUCATIONAL DEV-ICE Fileddan. 1., 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR -J0/znK11017- BY MW ATTORNEYS Patented July 20, 1943 EDUCATIONAL DEVICE JohnV. Horr, Hastings on Hudson, N. Y., assignor to V Einson-Freeman Co.

, Inc., Lon IslandCity,

N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 1, 1943, Serial No.470,981

Claims.

My present invention relates generally t educational devices, and hasparticular reference to a relatively simple cardboard structure intendedto facilitate the teaching of firearm manipulation.

As is well known, a rifie or similar firearm is provided with a rearsight and a front sight to enable the firearm to be properly aimed.These sights may assume various forms; for example, the rear sight maybe a notched member while the front sight may consist of an elementwhich assumes a vertical contour or silhouette when the firearm isaimed. Sometimes the rear sight consists of a circular opening. orwindow to which the eye is applied.

One of the first lessons which a novice must learn, is the correctrelationship which the two sights must assume when the firearm isproperly aimed. He must also learn the correct relative position of thetarget with respect to these sights. I

In the training of large numbers of recruits, it is not always possibleto supply each recruit with a rifle or the like, nor to devote as muchtime as may be desirable toindividual instruction. Certain rudiments,however, may be taught by classroom procedures, prior to. the ac-. tualmanipulation of the firearm itself. It is a general object of my presentinvention to provide a simple and inexpensive cardboard structure whichmay be manufactured in large quantities at low cost, for freedistribution to students, by means of which certain elementary featuresof the art may be taught with greater facility.

In most modern firearms, a means is also provided for preliminarilyadjusting the. rear sight either vertically or horizontally tocompensate for varying ranges of firing and for wind velocities, Thebasic nature of these refinements, and the general method'of making therequired adjustments, may also be taught by means of the presentinvention.

The present structure is of the educational type which permits certainactual manipulations to be repeatedly made and studied by the 'stu--dent so that he ultimately achieves a thorough and almost instinctivefamiliarity with certain rudimentary but essential adjustments andrelationships.

Even after the instruction of the recruit has advanced to the stagewhere he is actually handling a firearm, the present structure hascontinued utility in so far as it permits the instructor to teach thecorrections of certain errors or faults in a simple and expeditiousmanner.

From one aspect, my invention comprises a flat element having a portionwhich'simulates the rear sight of a, firearm, in association with asecond flat element arranged behind the first and having a portion whichsimulates the appearance of the corresponding front sight of thefirearm, when viewed through the rear sight. The front-sight element ismounted for endwise movement or adjustment "so that the twosightsimulating portions maybe brought into various relationships toeach other, including a correct relationship which they should assumewhen'the firearm is properly aimed.

From another aspect, my invention consists of aflat element having aportion simulating the rear sight of a firearm, in combination with ameans for simulating the appearance of the corresponding front sightwhen viewed through the rear sight, anda fiat element arranged forendwise movement or adjustment behind the first element and providedwith a portion which simulates the appearance of a target when viewedthrough the rear sight. tions thus made possible will simulating portioninto various relationships to the sight-simulating means, including acorrect relationship which is properly aimed. h

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, a forward elementisassociated with two independent hindward elements one of the latterhaving a portion simulating the appearance of the front sigh t, theother'having a portion simulating the appearance ofa target, the twohindward elements being independently movable in an endwise mannersc'that it is possible to bring the parts into various relationships to oneanother, including a correct inter-relationship which should exist whenaimedata particular target.

The structure hereinbefore referred to prefer'ably assumes the form of aflat pocket, the front wall of which constitutes the element having thesimulation of the rear sight, the movable element or elements being fiatpieces accommodated within the pocket,

From another aspect, my invention consists in the rovision of a fiatelement having a pair of spaced parallel slits therein, and a stripextending out of one slit and into the other and shiftable in alongitudinal direction, the visible portion of the strip between theslits bearing certain markings which simulate those of a wind or Themanipula bring the targetshould exist when the'firearm the firearm isproperly elevation adjuster of a firearm, a corresponding fixed mark onthe slitted element being arranged adjacent to the marked strip. Thisassociation of parts enables the student to become familiar with thegeneral nature and mode of adjustment of a wind or elevation control.Preferably, the device includes two sets of slits and two strips, one ofwhich simulates a wind adjuster, the other an elevation adjuster.

The foregoing device also preferably assumes the form of a flat pocketwithin which the strip or strips are accommodated.

In a wholly practical and preferred construction which has beensuccessfully used for the contemplated purposes, a single fiat cardboardstructure is so fashioned and assembled that the two pockets arearranged back-to-back, the parts of the structure being so arranged thatthe various adjustments may be independently made without any mutualinterference, and so that the entire device may be composed of a minimumof cardboard elements cut and folded and associated into a unitarystructure in an extremely simple and inexpensive manner.

Other features of my invention, which will be described more fullyhereinafter, relate to various means whereby the desired manipulationsare capable of simple and easy accomplishment, and whereby the variousparts are frictionally impeded to maintain the elements in anyrelationships in which they may be shifted.

I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objectsand advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in themanner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a device constructed inaccordance with the present invention indicating the manner in which theparts are intended to be manipulated;

Figure 2 is a rear view of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary views similar to Figure 1 illustratingtwo of the. innumerable incorrect relationships into which the parts maybe adjusted;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of two of the movable elements shown bythemselves;

Figure 8 is an inside view of the structure during an initial stage ofits manufacture; and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing an intermediate stage ofmanufacture.

Reference will first be had to Figure 8, in which I have shown thepreferred manner of forming the body of the present device of a singleblank of cardboard. The blank is divided by fold lines 2 |2| into twohingedly-connected rectangular panels 23 and 29. These panels serveultimately as the front and rear walls, respectively, of the structure.

Hinged to the opposite end edges of the panel 28 are the flaps 39 and 3|which are ultimately to be folded inwardly as indicated in Figure 9.Similar inwardly-folding flaps 32 and 33 are hinged to the opposite endedges of the panel 29.

Hinged to the outer longitudinal edge 23 of the panel 28 is anattachment flap 34 which is ultimately to be folded down over the flaps3|! and 3 I, as indicated in Figure 9; and similarly hinged to the outerlongitudinal edge 26 of the panel 29 is an attachment flap 35 whichultimately folds down over the flaps 32 and 33 as indicated in Figure 9.

This results in the formation of two separate pockets or flatcompartments, one of the pockets being defined by the space between thewall 28 and the turned-in flaps 30 and 3|, the other being defined bythe space between the wall 29 and the turned-in flaps 32 and 33.

After the operative parts have been properly inserted into associationwith their respective pockets, the structure is folded along the medialfold line 21, thereby arranging the pockets backto-back, and theattachment panels 33 and 35 are permanently secured to each other,preferably by adhesive means.

In accordance with my invention, the front wall 28 is provided with aportion simulating the rear sight of a firearm. I have chosen toillustrate a preferred construction in which the medial portion of thewall 28 is provided with a circular opening 36, this opening beingintended to simulate a rear sight of circular shape. If desired, thissimulation may be enhanced by suitably embellishing the wall 28 on itsouter surface adjacent to the opening 36.

Behind the wall 28, i. e., within the pocket between the wall 28 and theflaps 39 and 3|, I arrange at least one movable fiat element, and in thepreferred embodiment herein illustrated, I provide two independentlymovable elements which are shown most clearly in Figure 7.

The element 31 is provided with a portion simulating the appearance of atarget when viewed through the rear sight of a firearm. For illustrativepurposes, I have shown a circular spot 38 which is distinctively coloredand is intended to simulate the bulls eye of a conventional target. Thearea around the spot 38 may be suitably colored or otherwise embellishedto furnish any desired background. Preferably this area is a flat colorso that the background always remains the same regardless of thepositions into which the element 31 may be shifted.

The cooperating element 39 is provided with parallel longitudinal cuts,and with a transverse cut, thereby defining a tongue 40 which may bedeflected out of the plane of the element 39. This tongue together withthe body of the element 39 forms a sort of notch into which the lowerend portion of the element 31 may be fitted. The element 31 may befreely shifted in an endwise manner within this notch, independently ofany shifting movements of the element 39, and the frictional engagementbetween the elements 31 and 39 is sufficient to retain them in anyrelative positions into which they may be adjusted. The element 39 isalso preferably provided with a rearwardly folded end portion 4|. Whenthe elements of Figure '7 are inserted into the pocket behind the wall28, the portion 4| bears yieldably against the flap 34 (see Figures 6and 9), and by virtue of the inherent resilience of the cardboard ofwhich the element 39 is composed, the portion 4| is of a springycharacter which thus imparts a yieldable frictional resistance toshifting movements of the element 39 within the pocket.

The tongue 40 is made of such size and shape that its free end portionsimulates the appearance of the front sight of the firearm when viewedthrough the rear sight. Preferably, the outer face of the tongue 59 ismade of dark coloration so that the simulation of the front sight is inthe nature of a silhouette.

When the structure is initially assembled, the elements 31 and 39 ofFigure 7 are laid flat against the wall 28, as indicated in Figure 8,with the target-simulating portion 38 and the sightsimulating portion 40arranged toward the wall 28, so that these portions will ultimately showthrough the opening 36. It will be observed that the. elements 31 and 39are smaller than the wall 28. Thi allows them to be shifted in anendwise manner, as indicated in Figure 9, these shifting movements beinglimited by the confining edges of the pocket. The wall 28 is of suchdimensions that the two pockets 3'! and 39, while freely shiftable intovarious positions, will nevertheless always retain their essentialrelationships to each other and to the pocket as a whole. Thus, it isimpossible to shift either of the elements through a completerevolution, and even when they are separated to the maximum possibledegree, the interengagement indicated in Figure 7 is always retained.

To permit adjustments of these elements from the exterior of the device,after the structure has been-completely manufactured, I provide a set ofapertures 42 in the walls 28 and 29, and in the flaps 30 and 32, whichare so arranged that they register with one another in the completedstructure, as indicated most clearly in Figure 5. The rear-end of theelement 31 is thus accessible for manipulation, and it is contemplatedthat this 5 rear end portion of the element 31 will be engaged by thefingers of the user, as indicated in Figure l. A similar set ofregistering apertures 43 are provided in the walls 28 and 29, and in theflaps 3i and 33, at the other end of the structure, thereby making therear portion of the element 39 accessible for manipulation to controlthe movements of this element. This manipulation is to be accomplishedby the fingers of the other hand of the user, as indicated in Figure 1.The present structure enablesthe user to learn correct relationshipsbetween a target and the sights of a firearm when the latter is properlyaimed. A correct relationship is shown, by way of example, in Figure l,and it will be observed that the target 38 is accurately centeredwithrespect to the rear sight window 36, .while the front sight 4%; isarranged beneath the target 38 in an accurately vertical direction withthe upper edge of the front sight 40 just touching the lower edge of thetarget 38. By repeatedly manipulating the present device so as toaccomplish thi result, the user rapidly acquires a thorough familiaritywith these proper relationships.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have illustrated two of the innumerable incorrectrelationships into which the parts may be adjusted. In Figure 3, forexample, the front sight 40 is too high with respect to the rear sight36, and is not accurately centered, while the target 38 is too high andtoo far to one side with respect to the rear sight 36. In Figure 4, thefront sight 4!] is not accurately vertical, and it is slightly too highwith respect to the target 38, while the target itself is not accuratelycentered with respect to the window 36. Thus, by depicting incorrectrelationships as well as correct ones, the present device enables aninstructor to teach certain rudiments of aiming a firearm and to correctthe faults of a student, even before the student has handled the firearmitself. Even at a later date, when the recruit is learning to shoot on apractice range, it is contemplated that an instructor, witnessing theactual results of faulty aiming, may utilize the present device todemonstrate to the recruit the erof a wind adjuster of a firearm, whilerors which he i probably making, and the man.- ner in which they may becorrected.

The rear pocket of the present structure lends itself readily to thearrangement of certain movable parts by means of which certain otheradjustments of a firearm may be taught and demonstrated. I haveillustratively shown an arrangement whereby the wall 29 is provided witha pair of spaced parallel slit 44, adapted to accommodate a movablestrip 45 which extends out of one slit and into the other and i thusshiftable transversely across the wall 29. I have illustratively shown asecond set of spaced par.- allel slits 46 arranged at right angles tothe first set, adapted to accommodate a movable strip which extends intoone slit and out of the other and is thus longitudinally shiftable withrespect to the wall 29. r This arrangement of parts is indicated mostclearly in Figure 8, and it will be observed that the strip 41 isultimately positioned beneath the flap 35, while the strip 45 is atleast partially protected by the fiap 33. These movable strips are thusaccommodated within the pocket or space defined by the wall 29 and theflaps 32 and 33. An additional strip, similar to the strip 45, can bearranged at the opposite end of the wall 29, if desired.

In Figure 2 I have illustrated the appearance of these strips on theexterior of the structure. A fixed mark 48, such as an arrow or thelike, is provided on the wall 29 adjacent to the visible portion of thestrip 45. The exposed surface of this strip may be provided withsuitable mark,- ings, as indicated, which simulate the markings of anelevation adjuster of the firearm. By shift,-

ing the strip 45, the markings on the strip will as sume varyingrelationships to the fixed mark 48 and the student may thus learn thegeneral nature of this type of adjuster, and the significance ofestablishing differentrelationships between the fixed and the movablemarkings. p

Similarly, certain fixed markings 49 are arranged on the wall 29adjacent to the exposed portion of the strip 41, to simulate themarkings the exposed face of the strip 41 is provided with a mark, suchas the arrow 50, which may be caused to assume varying positions alongthe set of marks 4!), depending upon the shifting movements of the strip41.

The strips 45 and may be shifted in any desired manner, by engaging thestrips at the edges, or pushing them with a finger, but I prefer toprovide in each strip a small opening 5! into which the tip of a pencilor equivalent pointed element may be inserted, this engagementfacilitating the desired longitudinal movements of the strips.

It will be observed that the adjustments of the movable strips 45 and41, and such other strips of similar character as may be provided in therear pocket of the structure, do not interfere with the manipulation andadjustments of the elements in the front pocket of the structure.Nevertheless, the slitted wall 29 constitutes, at least in part, a rearwall for the front pocket, while the wall 28 constitutes, at least inpart, a front wall for the rear pocket. The structure is thus aselfcontained, compact, and unitary device, and the movable parts areall safely accommodated and retained in their respective positions onthe interior of the structure.

It will be understood that the device may readily be modified to suitdifiering requirements, without altering its basic nature andcharacteristics. For example, while I have shown the preferred way ofusing two separate movable elements in the front pocketfit might undercertain circumstances be desirable to provide a front-sight simulation60 as a permanent part of the wall 28, thereby leaving for adjustmentonly a single movable element bearing a target simulation; or the targetmay be depicted in a permanent relationship to the window 36, leavingfor adjustment a simulation of the corresponding front sight of thefirearm. Also, the simulation of the rear sight may assume forms otherthan the circular window which I have herein shown, depending upon thenature of the actual firearm rear sight which it is intended tosimulate.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to employ a structurehaving only a single pocket, although the double-pocket constructionherein illustrated and described has proven both desirable and useful.

In general, it will be understood that the details herein described andillustrated may be modified by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scop of the invention as expressed in theappended claims. It is therefore intended that these details beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense Having thusdescribed my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an educational device of the character described, a flat elementprovided with a portion simulating the rear sight of a firearm, meansassociated with said element for simulating the appearance of thecorresponding front sight when viewed through the rear sight, and a flatelement provided with a portion simulating the appearance of a targetwhen viewed through the rear sight, said last-named element beingarranged behind the first-named element for relative endwise movementswhich bring the target into various relationships to said sights includ-'ing incorrect relationships which should not exist as well as a correctrelationship which should exist when the firearm is properly aimed.

2. In an educational device of the character described, a flat elementprovided with a portion simulating the rear sight of a firearm, a flatelement provided with a portion simulating the appearance of thecorresponding front sight when viewed through the rear sight, andanother flat element provided with a portion simulating the appearanceof a target when viewed through the rear sight, said last-named elementbeing arranged behind the first-named element for independent relativeendwise movements which bring the sights and target into variousrelationships to one another including incorrect relationships whichshould not exist as well as a correct relationship which should existwhen the firearm is properly aimed.

3. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, each ofthe movable elements having a portion acoessibly arranged formanipulation thereof.

4. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, saidrear sight simulation comprising a substantially circular window in saidfirst-named element, said element having apertures therein on oppositesides of said window, said movable elements having portions accessiblethrough said apertures respectively for manipulations thereof.

5. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, one ofsaid movable elements having a notch therein, the other movable elementbeing positioned within said notch, whereby said elements are retainedin overlapping relationship.

6. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, one ofsaid movable elements having a notch therein, the other movable ele mentbeing positioned Within said notch, whereby said elements are retainedin overlapping relationship, the front side of the notch constitutingthe simulation of the front sight.

7. In an educational device of the character described, a fiat cardboardstructure comprising superposed front and rear walls, flaps arranged oncertain edges of each wall and folded inwardly into the space betweensaid walls, the space between each wall and the flaps carried by itdefining a flat pocket, and at least one flat element in each pocketmounted for endwise movement therein and provided with a portion whichis exteriorly accessible for manipulation of said element, each of saidelements having an exteriorly visible portion whose movements relativeto the corresponding wall of the structure simulate the variousrelationships assumed by the aim-controlling parts of a firearm duringthe process of adjusting and aiming it including incorrect relationshipswhich should not exist as well as a set of correct relationships whichmust exist when the firearm is properly adjusted and aimed.

8. In an educational device of the character described, a fiat cardboardstructure comprising a blank folded upon itself to define superposedfront and rear walls, flaps arranged on certain edges of the front walland folded inwardly into the space between said walls so as to define afiat pocket between said flaps and the front wall, said front wallhaving a window therein simulating the rear sight of a firearm, a flatelement mounted in said pocket for endwise adjustment therein and havinga portion movable into various visible positions with respect to saidwindow, said portion simulating the appearance of the correspondingfront sight of the firearm when viewed through the rear sight,registering openings in the front and rear walls and in the flapportions between them through which said element is accessible formanipulation thereof to control its adjustments, a second fiat elementmounted in said pocket for endwise adjustment therein and having aportion movable into various visible positions with respect to saidwindow, said portion simulating the appearance of a target when viewedthrough the rear sight, another set of registering openings in the frontand rear walls and in the flap portions between them through which saidtarget-simulating element is independently accessible for manipulationthereof to control its adjustments, frictional means interengaging saidelements to yieldably impede the freedom of their relative movements,and frictional means interposed between at least one of said elementsand a portion of the structure to yieldably impede the freedom ofmovement of said element.

9. In an educational device of the character described, a fiat cardboardstructure comprising superposed front and rear walls having two sets ofregistering apertures therein, the front wall having also an openingsimulating the rear sight of a firearm, a flat cardboard element mountedfor endwise movement in the space between said walls and provided with aportion which is exteriorly accessible through one set of registeringapertures for manipulation of said element, said element being providedwith a portion visible through said front wall opening and simulatingthe appearance of the front sight of the firearm when viewed throughthe'rear sight, and a second flat cardboard element mounted forindependent endwise movement in the space between said walls andprovided with a portion which is exteriorly accessible through the otherset of registering apertures for manipulation of said element, saidlast-named element being provided with a portion visible through saidfront wall opening and simulating the appearance of a target when viewedthrough the rear sight, the movements of said flat interior elementsrelative dated.

to each other and to the front wall opening simulating variousrelationships between the sights of a firearm and a targetduring theprocess of aiming the firearm at said target including incorrectrelationships which should not exist as well as a set of correctrelationships which should exist when the firearm is properly aimed;

10. In an educational device as set forth in claim 9, said front wallbeing provided on certain of its edges with flaps folded inwardly intothe space between said walls to define a pocket between said flaps andfront wall within which said movable interior elements are accommo- JOHNV. HORR.

